Laois man fined €100 for stealing crisps and chocolate - Courts - Laois Nationalist

Laois man fined €100 for stealing crisps and chocolate - Courts - Laois Nationalist

A LAOIS man was fined €100 at Portlaoise District Court last week after pleading guilty to stealing a chocolate bar and a packet of crisps valued at €5.99.

Michael Ryan (36), Silverwood, Mountmellick pleaded guilty to theft of a Boost chocolate bar and a sharing packet of crisps from Texaco Spar, Mountmellick on 26 July.

Garda Kirby said that the defendant went into the shop, bought and paid for some items but did not for the chocolate bar or the packet of crisps.

He said when gardaí viewed CCTV coverage in the shop, they identified Mr Ryan, who has 153 previous convictions.

Mr Ryan’s solicitor Philip Meagher said: “He bought and paid for a roll and on the way out he got his dessert of chocolate and crisps.” He said the court is very familiar with his client, who has an interest in horses and who had been homeless for a while living in horse stables and sheds.

Mr Meagher said that his client is now back living with his father and had brought €20 to court to pay for the goods he had taken.